Man's numerous teachings and commentaries about Paul's passage in his letter to Corinth about a "thorn-in-the-flesh" are a false tradition in the Church often used to explain why we can't expect God to answer all our prayers, contrary to what is promised elsewhere in the Word. Photo by DAMIANUM CASTRUM from Pexels
[I believe Paul’s thorn-in-the-flesh is often taken out of context. Many suggest that since Paul prayed 3 times for removal of a messenger of Satan, which was NOT answered, how can we expect our prayers to always be answered. This teaching was a serious source of unbelief in my prayer life for a long time. Let’s see what the Word actually says.]
[2Co 12:5-7a NKJV] 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities [weaknesses]. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me [to be] or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, …
[Paul’s infirmities were more than sickness. Today we associate the work “infirmities” as disease. However, it is better translated from the original Greek language as “weaknesses” which could include disease, but has a broader in meaning that could include other circumstances beyond sickness. Based on the context of this passage, the weaknesses Paul is talking about are more likely perils and persecutions being stirred up by a “messenger of Satan”]
[2Co 12:7b-10 NKJV] lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness [same Gr. word translated earlier as “infirmity”]." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities [weaknesses, reproaches, needs, persecutions, distresses or perils], that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities [weaknesses, reproaches, needs, persecutions, distresses or perils], in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
[Below is the local context of this above passage on Paul’s thorn-in-the-flesh, chronicling the buffeting of persecutions and distresses (perils) being stirred up by this messenger of Satan.]
[2Co 11:18, 23-31 NKJV] 18 Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. ... 23 Are they ministers of Christ?--I speak as a fool--I [am] more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty [stripes] minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 [in] journeys often, [in] perils of waters, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils of [my own] countrymen, [in] perils of the Gentiles, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness-- 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn [with indignation]? 30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity [weakness, a messenger of Satan which is buffeting Paul by stirring up for him the aforementioned persecutions & perils]. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
[The context here is surprisingly contrary to the tradition I was taught growing up that Paul’s thorn-in-the-flesh is a disease. The passage’s greater context does not once mention a disease, only numerous weaknesses in the form of reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses or perils being stirred up by a messenger of Satan resulting in persecutions, trials and tribulation promised by Jesus to His followers.
The tradition that Paul’s thorn-in-the-flesh was some disease possibly related to eyesight or some other ailment is not found in this passage, but refers to other passages that suggest Paul may have had a problem with his eyes or other ailments like malaria.And because Paul’s prayer wasn’t answered to be rid of this sickness, neither can we expect our prayers to always be answered.When in actuality Paul was praying to be ride of the demon buffeting him by stirring up perils and persecutions.Three times he prayed this, just like when Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before He was arrested, tortured and crucified.Both voluntarily accepted their persecution to the point of death.Paul was praying to be released from perils and persecutions which Jesus promised us we would have—see tip 16) Praying “If it be Your Will?” Instead of “Your Will Be Done.”It is important to note that this long list of perils and persecutions in 2Co 11:23-31 that Paul experienced as recorded in the Word, as far as we know he was victorious over them all.God stays true to His Word.He promises persecution and perils, trials and tribulations, as well as victory and healing.In my opinion this is a much better balance to the Scriptures that promise healing and the Scriptures that promise persecution in a way that eliminates unbelief in our prayers.Cancer and disease are not persecution, and Paul did not list a single disease as part of his infirmities that this messenger of Satan was buffeting him with. Understanding this, we can more confidently pray for healing in accordance with those Scriptures that promise healing.]
Comments